The first chapter goes into basic principles about your home and how everything works. This lays a great foundation for the next few chapters which start to go a lot more in depth. We still recommend reading this first chapter, since it does contain some great information. Chapters two through four go into the different tools you will need for each project in the book and this can serve as a handy shopping list. You’ll also be learning more about basic repair before you get started on the actual tips.

Chapter five basic plumbing projects and everything is broken down until it is incredibly easy to understand. After that you’ll be moving on to electrical systems and the advice contained in this chapter could easily save lives, while helping homeowners tackle jobs that need to be done. We really enjoyed Chapter Seven since it is packed full of project ideas for little remodeling things to do around your home. This section actually had a few ideas we hadn’t thought of, so it was quite useful.

The last chapter covers everything you could ever need to know about remodeling and once again, the editors have done a fantastic job of making it easy to understand and read. Don’t skip over the appendix – there are some great resources and even more tips that you’ll find in there that are very beneficial.

Whether you’re an experienced weekend warrior, or just starting down the DIY path, we can’t think of a better book to read. This is packed with great project ideas that will not only walk you through fixing up your home but will also provide you with some creative sparks to start your own projects. By far, this is one of the best books we’ve ever come across for beginners and yet it will still appeal to those of us that are well versed at home improvement projects.

We commend the authors and editors of this book for taking the time to put together such a comprehensive book. By simply following the project steps in this book, literally anyone can start fixing up their home. It’s nice to come across a book that completely delivers on its promise in the title and we highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to get their home fixed up. It’s a great buy and one that will certainly get a lot of use.

Originally posted 2008-11-14 05:20:54. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Caring For Your Old House By Judith Kitchen We loved the subtitle of this book, Respectful Rehabilitation, and this convinced us to give the book a try. There are more than enough wreckovating books out there, and for those that are interested in maintaining the charm of older homes, a book like this is a rare find indeed.......
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Plumbing Issues - If you detect a strong sewage smell coming from any fixture, it may be indicating that the trap in your waste pipe leading away from said fixture has gone bad in some way. You should pour water down into the drain to see if the smell is going to go away. If the smell does not go away on its own, then you are probably dealing with additional problems and calling a plumber is going to be the best course of action at this point.

If you are dealing with a flood that is in progress, then the best way to minimize the resulting damage is to consider the following do's and don'ts for plumbing floods:

• Do shut the main water valve off if the flood is occurring as a result of a break in a pipe.
• Do shut off the electricity within the flooded area, but only if you can do this without touching any water.
• Do wear rubber work boots and gloves if the leak has been contaminated by sewage or if it is in a drain line.
• Do disinfect the area once it has been properly cleaned and allowed to dry fully.
• Do not wade through standing water if the water has come into contact with any electrical outlets or appliances, as the water may be charged electrically and capable of causing harm.
• Do not run a gas powered water pump within your home because it can create fumes.

Propane, Oil and Natural Gas - If you are dealing with propane and natural gas appliances in your home and are not sure where a gas smell is coming from, knowing how to distinguish is vital. Sniff around. Is the smell stronger below the level of your nose, or above the level of your nose? Natural gas is a lighter type of gas and so it tends to spread out well throughout the air. On the other hand, propane is a heavier gas and as a result it tends to settle down lower near the floor.

A faint gas odor is a likely signal that a pilot light has gone out on an appliance. Relighting your valve means turning the control valve to "off" and then to "pilot". Release gas for the pilot light by depressing the handle or the red button depending on the model of your appliance. Light it with a match, keeping the handle or the button depressed for a minute. Release it after at least 60 seconds and turn the control to "On".

Photo Credits: damian m

Originally posted 2009-08-27 03:37:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Ten Problems that Home Inspectors Find When you get your home inspected, any problems that are found mean that you have to fix them and get another inspection, at a greater cost to you. You can prepare to avoid that second inspection by learning what home inspectors consider to be the ten problems they most frequently......
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1. Revamp the appearance of the kitchen.

Despite the prevalence of the fast food and restaurant culture, the kitchen is still the life center of the home. Home buyers will head straight for the kitchen when they check out a house, and small, visual improvements here will go far in your renovations. For around a couple hundred dollars, the hardware in the kitchen; cabinet handles, lighting, faucets; can all be replaced with newer, more modern looking pieces. Lighting can also get replaced with more energy efficient fixtures to make things more environmentally friendly.

2. Improve the appearance of your appliances.

Appliances which appear to be part of a matching set look more high class and vastly improves the value of the kitchen. Ordering new face plates for the kitchen appliance set can go a long way. It may even surprise you with a couple of free fixes. Items like dishwashers, with a sheet panel exterior, may have the alternate color on the back side.

3. Attack the bathroom.

This is the room which should get the revamp after the kitchen. The bathroom can be improved along the same lines as the kitchen. Buying a new toilet seat, a pedestal sink, new hardware, all of these are simple tasks for the home owner. The floor can get a renewal with new vinyl tiles that are simple to install, even without removing the old floor. The tub can also get a similar revamp, saving the cost of installing new tiling or refinishing the tub.

4. Create new storage spaces.

Adding new fixtures such as wire or wooden closet systems are easy to install yourself and expand the storage available in the home. A lack of storage space can be a deal breaker for home buyers. There are many brands of closet organizers that will greatly improve the space available to you in your closet.

5. Turn a room into a bedroom.

If you have a room like a den, then by adding what is needed such as closet space, then you can turn the room into a bedroom, greatly increasing the value of the home while requiring little work.

6. Give the mechanics their run of the place.

It can help to hire a handyman or two, such as plumbers or electricians, to fine tune the systems in your home. Fixing little things all around the home can add up really quickly and make the home more polished.

7. Clean the carpet.

The carpeting all throughout the home is always in sight, and giving it a thorough cleaning will give the home a drastically improved appearance. Little spots of wear, like at the entrances or the foot of the stairs, can get covered by small area rugs. If need be, then replacing the carpet should be considered.

These are a few ideas for increasing the value of your home.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-12-25 05:35:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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1. Physical Structure –

The inspector will go through the foundations and all the exterior features of the home to see if there are any potential problems. They will also check for drainage and any other issues that may affect the home’s safety. By checking to make sure that everything is up to code, they can save you a significant amount of money on repairs.

2. Heating and Cooling System –

Many older homes will have heating or cooling systems that are incredibly out of date, or even possibly dangerous. It is very important to make sure that the inspector completely goes over the duct work, the furnace and the air conditioning unit, if any, before completing the inspection. If the home has a very out of date system, it may be subject to leaking and this can be very dangerous.

3. Plumbing System –

Once again, older homes may not have the best plumbing in the world. If the owners did not keep up on regular repairs, you can be stuck with pipes that leak into the walls, or even lead pipes that can cause a health risk. The inspector will check the materials of the pipes as well as their integrity.

4. Electrical System –

This can definitely be a major problem with many older homes, especially the ones that were built at the turn of the century. It is no easy task to rewire an older home and it is very costly. Your inspector will make sure that all of the wiring is up to code and that it is not dangerous to operate. For example, if the lights dip when something is plugged in, this is a very bad sign and could be the cause of a dangerous fire if the wiring gets too hot.

5. Interior Construction –

The inspector will also go over the interior of the house to check for water damage, or out of code features that might endanger the new inhabitants of the house. They will be looking for mildew and mold as well as other potential health hazards during their inspection.

You can save tens of thousands of dollars by spending the money on an inspector before purchasing a house. We always recommend that the buyer hire the inspector instead of letting the home owners do it, to make sure that there are no problems with the results. Before you close on any property, have it completely inspected and wait for the report.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-08-21 05:25:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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If you discover that there is a leak, the first thing that you should do is to shut your water off while you wait for Joe the plumber to arrive. This will prevent any further water damage from occurring just in case hiring a plumber takes a little bit longer than you initially anticipated. The quickest way that you can stop water from leaking from your pipes is to go to the main valve and shut the water supply off there. Then you can go to one of the lowest points in the home or office building and open up a faucet, allowing the remaining water to drain out of the faucet based on gravity, which will significantly minimize the water escaping through the leak until Joe the plumber can arrive.

When Joe the Plumber does arrive, ask him or her how recurring problems can be prevented or avoided in the future. Most plumbers will charge an hourly rate for their service, along with any and all necessary parts costs. You can expect to pay somewhat more money for calls at night or during the weekend. Even at these rates, it is smart to consult with your plumber about repairs and parts options, as well as how future problems can be kept from reoccurring. The more you can learn about the intricacies of your home or office plumbing, the more likely you will be able to solve the problem your own self the next time.

When you decide that you need to hire a plumber, it is definitely going to be most reasonable to hire someone who is reputable and licensed. You should also try to appraise hourly rates beforehand, choosing a plumber that has an hourly rate that agrees with your budget. For example, some plumbers have lower rates on an hourly basis but charge for things like driving time, and others have a higher rate for hourly work, but the clock only starts when they arrive at the scene of the crime. Make your decision based on the rate you feel most comfortable paying, and do not be afraid to have a Joe the plumber on hand so that you can get the help that you need when you need it. Make sure that your plumber is validly licensed in your state if it is required, and keep their phone number of hand so that if a plumbing emergency occurs, you can do something about it.

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Originally posted 2008-10-21 05:18:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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